Solids separation system
AssigneeOCS Technologies, LLC
InventorKenny Desormeaux
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solids removal system for use in removing sand and silt from well production fluids. The system has a manifold assembly provided with jetting nozzles, which is installed in a liquid- and solids-containing vessel, where solids have settled in the walls. The jetting nozzles deliver, in a pre-determined sequence, a solids-dislodging fluid, causing the solids to become suspended in the fluid. The dislodged solids and fluid are then extracted by pump from the vessel and directed to a solid-fluid separator. Solids-free fluid is returned for re-re-circulation through the vessel, while the solids are moved to a containment location.
Claims36
An apparatus for removing solid particles settled in a container adapted for retaining solids and fluids, the apparatus comprising:
- a manifold assembly configured for positioning inside the container;
- a valve assembly connectable to the manifold assembly for controlling admission of fluids into the container through the manifold assembly;
- an outlet conduit connectable to the manifold assembly for removal of solid particles and fluids from the container;
- and
- a means for moving the solid particles and fluids removed from the container to a solid/fluid separator.
An apparatus for removing solid particles settled in a container adapted for retaining solids and fluids, the apparatus comprising:
- a manifold assembly configured for positioning inside the container;
- a valve assembly connectable to the manifold assembly for controlling admission of a solids-dislodging fluid into the container through the manifold assembly;
- a means for controlling operation of the valve assembly mounted outside of the container and operationally connected to the valve assembly;
- an outlet conduit connectable to the manifold assembly for removal of solid particles and solids-dislodging fluid from the container;
- a means for moving the solid particles and solids-dislodging fluids removed from the container to a solid/fluid separator;
- and
- a means mounted between the solid/fluid separator and the manifold assembly for re-circulating solids-dislodging fluid through the manifold assembly.
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said manifold assembly comprises a plurality of independent manifold sections having individual inlet ports for delivery of the solids-dislodging fluid to a pre-determined section of the manifold assembly.
A method of removing solids settled in a container, comprising the following steps:
- providing a manifold assembly comprised of separate manifold sections with jet nozzles and positioning the manifold sections inside the container;
- providing a valve assembly connectable to respective manifold sections;
- providing an outlet conduit and connecting the outlet conduit to the manifold sections;
- providing a means for moving the solid particles and fluids removed from the container to a solid/fluid separator;
- admitting a solids-dislodging fluid into the manifold sections and forcing the solids-dislodging fluid to contact the settled solids, thereby dislodging the solids;
- removing a mixture of the dislodged solids and the solids-dislodging fluid from the container and transferring the mixture to a solid/fluid separator for separating solids from the mixture;
- and
- re-circulating solids-free fluid into the manifold sections.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.